news & blogs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5fE12zmqHs Cruising (or surfing) around on youtube, looking for a video to…watch…I came upon this one. The title drew me in. Well, in fact, it did and it didn’t – my first response was, ‘ oh no…not another video reporting Read More …

This is rather topical with me at the moment; as I am immersed in arranging for small and large ensembles…and expect to be doing so indefinitely! As I have said many times before – because I believe it to be Read More …

I am referring to bandskool’s fledgling band musicanship course which is aimed at musicians who already ‘play a bit’ but would like to develop further…in a few different areas of musicianship; namely, the ability to improvise with reference to different Read More …

Soloing or playing solos is not to be confused with ‘solo-style’. The former is a form of lead playing where one is in the foreground and becomes the focus of attention; no matter how brief a period that may be. Read More …

I hear that in Scotland, all local authority music services will now waive their tuition fees to address perhaps the main reason there isn’t as much take up as there might be in having instrumental lessons at school. Whilst it Read More …

I’m back on one of my favourite topics: the art of solo-style guitar. I guess there are a myriad of start points when it comes to arranging something for solo-style guitar. Yes, I am assuming that it is an arranging Read More …

A part of my week is spent around the border region. That’s Dumfries and Galloway and Cumbria principally. So…if you are looking for instrument lessons (guitar – bass – mandolin – Banjo – Ukulele) and you are based in this Read More …

This is an area of guitar playing that is at the forefront of my mind at the moment – partly because it is an important part of my gigging repertoire – and because I have students that want to learn Read More …

I am asking this question particularly with reference to solo guitar instrumentals and my experience with that idiom; though the question is relevant elsewhere. What I’m talking about specifically is SET solo arrangements – where there is no scope to Read More …

Solo guitar instrumentals are one of the most challenging yet fun ways to play a guitar; as well as the most satisfying. By solo I mean no support from anything: pre-recordings, backing tracks, loopers or other musicians. Nothing! The challenge Read More …